Senators on Thursday, February 12 backed calls to replace the Chinese ambassador in Manila after their embassy spokesperson released fresh tirades against members of the Senate, particularly Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III.

The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Philippines Ambassador Jing Quan’s first major public engagements since assuming his post

Sen. Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito said Ambassador Jing Quan hasn’t been in the Philippines for two months since he assumed his post and yet he and other Chinese officials in the country have been hostile instead of fostering amity between the two countries.

“And it’s not improving our relationship with China, which is already damaged precisely because of the situation in the West Philippines Sea right now,” Ejercito told reporters in an interview.

“Instead of dousing cold water to the fire, he’s adding fuel to the fire. So I think it would be better to replace him with someone more diplomatic in dealing with the host country,” he stressed.

“I hope that we exhaust all diplomatic means. That’s what we want. We don’t want war. They should not accuse us senators that we are pro-war,” he pointed out.

“We are not intimidating anybody, not even the Chinese officials. We are just stating the sense of the Senate,” Ejercito said, defending the Senate’s approval of Senate Resolution No. 256, condemning the statements made by the Chinese embassy in Manila which criticised Philippine officials and institutions defending the country’s national sovereignty and maritime rights.

“The majority are in unison in standing up for what is right and fighting for what the UNCLOS ruling has given our country,” he said.

Sen. Raffy Tulfo echoed Ejercito’s call for Beijing to replace their ambassador to the Philippines.

“I do agree because he’s very aggressive and very sensitive compared to the previous Chinese ambassadors who were assigned here in the country,” Tulfo told reporters in a separate interview.

“The new one is very sensitive and aggressive at the same time. Very onion-skinned and aggressive in their actions and reactions to the developments here,” he added.

“While I don’t have any recommendatory power, I still believe it would be best for the interest of the Chinese and Philippine relationship that they provide a new ambassador. It will help a lot,” Tulfo stressed.

Sen. Robinhood “Robin” Padilla, who did not sign the Senate Resolution No. 256, also defended the Senate’s position on the matter.

“Whatever our position may be, no one can say it is wrong because that is the decision of the senators,” Padilla said.

Still, Padilla said he supports President Marcos Jr.’s “firm and diplomatic” approach on China and the Philippines’ dispute.

Meanwhile, Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III merely shrugged off the latest remark made by Chinese embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng against him.

“When someone triggers you to react and you do not, it’s annoying! I prefer to be annoying!” Sotto said in a Viber message to reporters.